I am the first to admit it – I let things fester, unnecessarily, to the point where I lose sleep, and dwell on things. I get to the point where I attach all memories to a specific event, or person and I only see negative. It turns all of my acquired human decency in prickly little attitude which takes away my shine. It turns my happiness into frustration. It take’s the quality of my joy and turns it into mediocre. It take’s the authenticity out of me.

The thing about fairness in life, is that it just doesn’t happen. You can take a look at your past and all the events that have bothered you to all different degree’s and you will learn, from your continued life experiences, that it just doesn’t happen.

There have been situations where I have sat there, literally for day’s, month’s, or in certain circumstances, years and thought that what someone has done to me has been so unfair. No one in their wildest imagination would see their actions towards me justified by any means. I do tend to distance myself from people who hurt me, physically… but letting go and keeping your distance, mentally, is something that takes a little more discipline.

Do I believe in Karma? Yes. Did any of these individuals ever get what I felt they justly deserved to come back to them for treating me a certain way? No.

Being imprisoned by these hurtful actions does not do anything except lock you into an emotional prison where you are left trapped, and unable to move forward in your own journey.

Don’t lose your joy. Don’t function as a mediocre being when you try so hard to shine each and every day.

All the years you have waited for them to “make it up to you” and all the energy you expended trying to make them change (or make them pay) kept the old wounds from healing and gave pain from the past free rein to shape and even damage your life. And still they may not have changed. Nothing you have done has made them change. Indeed, they may never change. Inner peace is found by changing yourself, not the people who hurt you. And you change yourself for yourself, for the joy, serenity, peace of mind, understanding, compassion, laughter, and bright future that you get.”

Do you ever find yourself daydreaming about things of the past, both good and bad? I do. I can tell you that many of the things I reminisce about are either really spectacular, great memories I shared with others and enjoyed, or they are the horrible, really bad ones that I dwell on and wish I could re-do, or take back. Never anything mediocre and in between? .. I’m not sure why that is.

One of the many lessons I have learned, or rather, have been reminded of on a continuous basis is that the past is the past – the good and the bad have made you in to the person you have become today. Still, there are some times when I review my previous years and perhaps out of sheer maturity through over time I find myself rolling my eyes, doing a slight shoulder shrug and a sheepish grimace … wishing that it was all a dream .. but it’s not … I don’t do this for many things -not many things at all- but there are a few 😉

The reality of it all is that life is about growing and learning. Where we were ten years ago is a completely different reality than where we are today both mentally, and emotionally. We live through the times and develop into a much more complex human being year after year. I can’t speak for all, but I find myself digging deeper into the meaning of things – my actions, people’s actions. I do not just simply, “live” day-to-day. I find myself analyzing the good and bad actions of myself, and the people I surround myself … and evaluating whom i’ve become, and who I want to continue to share my life with.

Let go of your tears that have been a symbol of your attachment to the past. The sadness and self-pity will not wash away one tiny fragment of your past. Gently remind the wounded part of yourself that that was then and this is now. Learn from those experiences. Bless them as great teachers, and then come rushing back to the working unit of your life, now! ~ Dr. Wayne Dyer

Lessons from the past are probably the most influential way of learning, for me. I am definitely a “feelings” girl so when things upset me or give me a negative feeling I tend to not forget them very easily and vice versa – things that are great give me a great and positive feeling and I remember those times. Learning from your past is a great way to make you into a better more evolved you. Embrace both the good and the bad. Learn from anything negative that you have brought into your life or worked through because of other individuals. Remind yourself daily of your values and what you want to surround yourself with in your day-to-day routine and make your future as spectacular as you wish for it to be. Afterall you, and only you, have the power to place yourself on the right path for your final destination … I would prefer to be somewhere positive, with skies filled with copious amounts of emotional sunshine!